Environmental Field Laborer

Clean Harbors; Elgin (IL); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits after 30 days

401K with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Clean Harbors in Elgin, IL is seeking an Environmental Field Laborer to join a safety‑mocused team. The role covers hazardous waste clean‑up, site remediation, equipment decontamination and handling of hazardous materials.

Expect long days, overtime after 40 hours, and potential out‑of‑town assignments with hotel and per diem provided. Starting pay is $20 per hour with comprehensive benefits after 30 days, training provided, and a strong emphasis on health and safety.

Qualifications

• Reliable transportation required for field work and site access.
• Must be on-call and available for emergency response outside regular hours.
• Completion of background check, drug test, and medical/physical assessment as required.
• Compliance with OSHA respiratory protection standards and facial hair guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize health and safety as the top goal and follow all safety policies.
• Perform strenuous physical labor including lifting and moving heavy objects.
• Operate light and heavy equipment and use hand tools and power tools.
• Wear PPE properly and maintain readiness for respirator use.
• Work outdoors in various temperatures and weather conditions.
• Participate in field sampling and calibration of meters as needed.
• Climb ladders, scaffolding, and enter trucks or tanks safely.
• Be on-site or on-call for extended periods and potential travel.

Skills

Reliable transportation

On-call availability

Emergency response readiness

Physical stamina

Background check & drug test

Respiratory protection compliance

Job description

Clean Harbors in Elgin, IL is seeking an Environmental Field Laborer to join our safety conscious team. This role will be active in the field responsible for the performance of tasks associated with hazardous waste clean-up, site-remediation, equipment decontamination and handling of hazardous materials.

• Valid Driver's License Required
• Average an 8-10+ hour day. Overtime after 40 hrs.
• Must be available for emergency response/project work that could take you out of town up to 2 weeks at a time, hotel and per diem provided
• Required on call

Note: This position requires new hires to attend our out-of-state Academy training, which may require being away from home for a period of time. Training duration may vary based on scheduling and program requirements. Training is paid, and related expenses are covered by the company.

Clean Harbors is the leading provider of environmental, energy and industrial services throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Everywhere industry meets environment, Clean Harbors is on-site, providing premier environmental, energy and industrial services. We are solving tough problems through innovation and proven methodology – come be part of the solution with us.

Why work for Clean Harbors?

• Health and Safety is our #1 priority and we live it 3-6-5!
• Focus on maintaining sustainability and cleaning the Earth
• Starting Pay $20 per hour
• Comprehensive health benefits coverage after 30 days of full-time employment including 401K with Company match
• Own part of the company with our Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Opportunities for growth and development for all the stages of your career
• Company paid training and tuition reimbursement

Responsibilities

• Ensure Health and Safety is the number one goal by following policies, processes, and always acting in a safe manner
• Engage in strenuous physical labor including lifting and pulling heavy objects
• Operate light and heavy equipment, handles various hand tools and powered industrial tools, works with vibration-producing tools
• Wear and properly use a variety of personal protective Equipment (PPE). Including respirators, skin, face, hand and foot protection in a multiple number of combinations
• Work in various temperatures indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions
• Work in atmospheres and locations with the potential for exposure to various chemical and physical agents, some of which may be hazardous, toxic, or corrosive
• Work in potentially elevated noise levels, confined spaces, including lifting in areas of low clearance
• Work at elevations including working from ladders and scaffolding
• Assist in field sampling activities and calibration of meters
• Climb ladders, scaffolding and into and out of trucks, tanks, and various other containers
• Work extended (> 8 hrs.) time periods
• Attend all compliance and safety update meetings
• Inspect drums for container integrity and regulatory compliance
• Safe loading and unloading of hazardous and non-hazardous waste
• Conduct waste stream sampling and profiling as necessary
• Follow all local, state (provincial) and federal compliance regulations and rules
• Safely operate vehicles in accordance with U.S. DOT, local, state (provincial) and federal requirements
• Safely observe all corporate operating guidelines and procedures
• Observe all company environmental health and safety operating guidelines
• Perform other duties as assigned
• By position, ability to be on call for emergency response on rotating basis every other week
• By position, site-remediation, equipment decontamination, and the handling of hazardous materials

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Reliable transportation
• Ability to perform physical functions per Key Responsibilities
• This position includes emergency response, a continuing condition of employment is agreeing to be on-call; on occasion working on weekends and holidays will be required; emergency response situations can extend beyond 8 hours, up to 12-24 hrs.
• Perform physical functions per job requirements
• Successfully complete a background check, drug test, and physical, by position
• Per OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.34, employees in positions requiring respirators are required to meet facial hair standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Valid Driver’s license
• Previous relevant labor experience

Clean Harbors is an equal opportunity employer.

Clean Harbors is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact [e-mail] or 1-844-922-5547.

Clean Harbors is a Military & Veteran friendly company.

Please be advised that Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used to support certain stages of the recruitment process but are not used as a replacement for human decision making.

Clean Harbors is committed to complying with applicable pay transparency laws and ensuring fair and equitable compensation. The posted salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target for this role. Final compensation may vary based on factors such as location, experience, skills, and business needs. In addition to the base salary, some roles may be eligible for bonus or incentive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.